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Rabat – A new investigation by the international journalism consortium Forbidden Stories revealed that a network of Russian operatives known as the “Company” has been orchestrating global disinformation campaigns targeting Africa, South America, and Western powers.
The investigation, published on February 14 and 20, reveals that the Company, originally linked to the late Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, is now controlled by Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) under General Dmitry Leonidovich Faddeev.
The consortium describes the Company as a “network of experts tasked with orchestrating disinformation campaigns around the world on Russia’s behalf.”
Forbidden Stories says it has identified at least 60 agents, including journalists, sociologists, and “poli-technologists,” whose work ranges from monitoring political developments in 15 countries to conducting opinion surveys and online influence campaigns.
Replacing the West with Russia
The consortium reports that the network aims to weaken Western influence in Africa and promote Russia’s interests. One leaked document, dated August 2023, outlines a project called the “Confederation of Independence,” intended to exploit anti-Western sentiment and criticize France, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
“It is clear that the goal is to counter Western influence while strengthening Russia’s position,” said Léa Peruchon, investigative journalist and co-author of the study.
The investigation suggests that the Company also spreads anti-Ukraine messaging, saying that campaigns in Africa falsely portrayed Ukraine as supporting terrorism. Meanwhile, “Russian operatives” in South America displayed banners against Ukrainian support during football matches in Argentina.
The investigation highlights the role of journalists in these campaigns, documenting that in August 2024 alone, 516 articles promoting pro-Russian narratives appeared in African media, costing roughly $340,000. It claimed that some campaigns even used graffiti and organized protests, such as in Angola, where $3,400 was spent on wall tags and a demonstration against US President Joe Biden’s visit.
Forbidden Stories also said it documented attempts to influence elections, explaining that ahead of Namibia’s 2024 presidential vote, Russian operatives circulated a fake letter alleging UK support for the opposition, reaching 1.7 million people online. Other documents revealed a plan for a coup in Senegal to align the country with Russia, though it was never executed, the consortium argued.
Forbidden stories added that outside Africa, the network sent seven operatives to Bolivia in July 2024 to support President Luis Arce after a failed coup attempt, running opinion campaigns and media efforts. However, Arce was later imprisoned for corruption in December 2025, and the Russian team was redeployed elsewhere.
